Respondents post to Boca Grande Chamber survey

Last Thursday, Boca Grande Area Chamber of Commerce released a new visitor survey called “Off Island Visitors.” It comes in the wake of a new ordinance that would restrict parking on the island to two hours for shoppers and restaurant patrons while eliminating beach parking for day-trippers except for Gasparilla Island State Parks.

“It was just to gather more information about who does come out and if these day-trippers are spending money,” said Chamber Director Gary Cross. “And clearly they are.”

To date the survey has over 2100 respondents. It also has a space for comments; there were 1,300. The survey is still ongoing. 

Part of the purpose for information gathering is to see what people do if they do come to the beaches. Some have said that those who come to the beaches do not eat in the restaurants or spend in the stores to a significant amount. Cross believes that the results of the survey will show the importance of day-trippers on local economy.

“Eliminating those parking spaces at 1st to 19th is going to have a major effect,” Cross said. 

The survey asks zip codes, and if they are coming to the beaches, if they shop downtown, or eat at restaurants among others.  

“One of the most interesting bits of information is who is coming here,” said Cross. “ I wanted to see where people are coming from, actually.”

The visitors from North Port are few; most of the respondents coming here are from South Gulf Cove, Englewood, Placida, Cape Haze and Rotonda. Early results show the majority coming about ten times a year. 

The link to the survey is at bocabeacon.com/parking